Last Sunday we went out to the “Taking Steps To End Violence Against Women And Children” awareness walk. This is an annual event held to raise awareness about the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault and to raise money to help Daybreak, The Rape Crisis Center and Girls Inc. in Worcester.

This is a link to some photos of the t-shirt display, above is the video we shot at the event. I spoke with Kim Dawkins, Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts. I also got some tape of Linda Cavaioli, Executive Director of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts.

The event had a pretty good turn out. I hope that my small contribution of blog posting and vlog will help them raise awareness and support so the next one is even bigger. Speaking of which; this is an annual event so be on the lookout in the spring. They need everyone out there - that means you too.

If you couldn’t make it out to walk this year you can still help. These organizations need support year round. They need volunteers, supplies and money so they can keep helping women and children in crisis. Click on the URL’s below to find out how you can get involved in a specific organization. Or, go to the Taking Steps web site for information about this event.

There are hotline numbers and URLs embedded in the video. If you know anyone who is being hurt please help them by getting those numbers and web sites to them.

URLs for more information about the organizations:

• The Rape Crisis center of Central Massachusetts
• YWCA of Central Massachusetts / Daybreak
• Girls, Inc.

AND - I think that AK Consulting Services did a great job organizing the event. They did a good job of making an informative and family-friendly event. Despite the very sad reason for the event, it was a fun day.

So - if you missed it this year, get out there next year!

Ok, I’m done telling you what to do with your weekend now. Thanks for listening

Link love - Thank you Wormtown Taxi for posting the video!

Also - thank you to Papamoka Straight Talk for cross-posting this to his blog here and on Raising Kids In America. Thank you!!

And - HUGE thank you to boston.com for linking to this post on their homepage for a day. It was a great thing to see that.

Industrial Sonic Echo, originally uploaded by Claudia Snell.

We went out to see Industrial Sonic Echo twice this weekend. They were completely awesome.

We got video of them performing. We’re working on editing now. I’ll be posting it as soon as we’ve got it presentable.

• Parallax Gallery
  Another great post from Web Designer Wall - this one is a Flash tutorial.
  (tags: web designer wall, gallery tutorial, nick la)

stART on the Street, originally uploaded by Claudia Snell.

Hey everybody - here’s something really cool to do today:
Industrial Sonic Echo’s 20th Anniversary show
Sat, 4/26 at 7PM at the Arc, 50 Lagrange Street

Visit their myspace page for more information

They are also performing at the Noise Show/foam pit @ Clark U at 2:30pm

I’m going out to the Noise Show. We’ve been trying to get out to see them again but schedules always get in the way. I’m still upset about missing them on New Year’s Eve at WAM. I was on the Mass Pike instead - UGH!

I wish I could describe what they do, but I can’t. You just have to see it for yourself.

SPROUT WINS!!, originally uploaded by Claudia Snell.

Hey everyone! My favorite florists won the 2008 Best of Worcester Award for “Best Florist”. They’ve now won it five times! YIPPEE!!!!

I love Sprout. Their stuff is always really beautiful and unique. Also, they are fantastic to their customers which, if you’ve read some of my posts you know is a HUGE deal for me.

If you ever need flowers and haven’t been to Sprout - GO! They’ll take care of you. For the rest of you that have been to Sprout - you already know all this and will keep going to them.

Congrats to Sprout!!

Here’s a link to some pictures I took at the shop. Their stuff is really amazing.

If you’d like to see who else won a “Best Of”, here’s the list of all the winners.Now you can go check out these places and see why people in Worcester voted them the best.

And one last thing, I have to say we had a great time at the awards ceremony/party at Hanover Theater. Thank you Worcester Magazine for throwing a fun party!!